Ramblers reveal alarming figures over walking habits

Get Walking Week

As the Ramblers gets ready for its short walks festival (May 3-10), the results of a YouGov survey have revealed an alarming 32% of people in the South East would not consider walking for more than 20 minutes when planning a journey.

The survey also discovered that the number of people walking over the recommended amount per week has dropped from last year, with 42% of adults surveyed in the South East walking for more than 150 minutes per week, as compared to 46% in 2013.

Worryingly, almost a quarter of people (24%) in the region are only walking, on average, for an hour or less per week.

What do you think? Are we becoming lazier?

With such shocking results, the Ramblers is calling for people to park their cars and get out more on foot.

One in four of the adult population are currently classed as physically inactive. This has severe health consequences, so it is crucial that people start taking steps towards a more active lifestyle.

The Ramblers says walking is the simplest solution to tackling this physical inactivity pandemic and is encouraging people to take to their feet during Get Walking Week.

Benedict Southworth, chief executive of the Ramblers, said: “Walking is such an easy way for people to meet the recommended guidelines of getting 150 minutes of exercise per week, so it’s really worrying that inactivity levels are so high.

“During Get Walking Week we are asking people in the South East to think about how they can walk more. Making short journeys on foot is an easy way to incorporate physical activity into everyday life - rather than automatically jumping in the car or on the bus, use your feet instead.

“To help people take their first steps we are offering hundreds of free short walks during Get Walking Week. You don’t need any special equipment to join in, so why not find a walk near you and walk towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.”

Ramblers groups will be leading walks across Great Britain for everyone to enjoy and Walking for Health, England’s largest network of health walk schemes, run by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support, will also be inviting people to walk, to help them get walking and keep walking.